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Grand Prix de Dottignies
Preview |
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Grand Prix de Dottignies is held
the day after the Ronde van Vlaanderen World Cup and has in
the past attracted most of the big names. This year the field
is not quite as strong and the three biggest teams of Rabo
Liv, Orica-AIS and Specialized-lululemon are not fielding a
team. The race has been won in the past by some of the biggest
names including Emma Johansson, Kirsten Wild, Marianne Vos and
Giorgia Bronzini, however of those names only Bronzini
returns.
The race is also the third in the Lotto Cycling Cup with
points on offer for the individual, sprints, GPM and teams
classification. Current overall leader Sofie De Vuyst is down
to start. Emma Johansson currently leads both the sprint and
GPM classification while Hitec returns to defend their lead in
the team classification.
Last year Vera Koedooder escaped from a late eight rider move
of Iris Slappendel, Roxanne Knetemann, Sanne van Paasen, Laura
Trott, Katarzyna Pawlowska, Alena Amialyusik and Esther
Fennel. Despite the best efforts of the Rabo squad Koedooder
held off to win solo ahead of lone chaser Slappendel. Sanne
van Paasen won the bunch sprint for third ahead of Laura
Trott.
The Route
The race starts with an opening circuit of 59.2km that
includes most of the climbing. The first climb of the day the
Bellegemberg comes after 10km. 3km over the top of the climb
riders face the Beerbosstraat cobbled section and around 4km
later comes the second climb of the day the Zandbeekberg at
the 18km mark. The next major obstacle for the riders is two
cobbled sections Chaussée d’Audenaerde and Place d’Hérinnes
which start at just before the 32km mark. Just after 34km the
riders will tackle the Cote du Carne and 6km later the final
categorized climb of the day the Col de la Croix Jubaru.
Riders will need to be careful on the steep descent from the
Col de la Croix Jubaru.
After 59.2km riders cross the finish line for the first time
to start the five laps of the 14.41km circuit. The major
obstacle on the finishing circuits is the Jacquetboostraat
cobbled section 3km in to the circuit. The narrow road on the
750m long cobbled section will be an added challenge as riders
and teams fight for position at the front.
The Contenders
Provisional start list available
here.
Vera Koedooder
The defending champion returns to try and go back to back.
Took the win last year after attacking and using her time
trialing ability to hold off the chase. With the finishing
circuits suited to a bunch sprint her best chance is to try
and get away solo or in a very selection group. Finished third
last weekend at Gent-Wevelgem in a sign of good form.
Janneke Ensing
Yet to claim a professional victory but has had a strong start
to the year with 6th at Novilon Eurocup. Was close to her
first professional win at Gent-Wevelgem just missing out due
to a late attack in the final few hundred metres by Lauren
Hall.
Giorgia Bronzini
Started 2014 on a strong note with 3 of 4 stages and the
overall at the Bay Crits. Was mostly out of the action at the
Tour of Qatar but finished with a strong 2nd place on the
final stage. After a disappointing start Bronzini has returned
to form the past two weeks. Finished on the podium in 3rd at
GP Comune di Cornaredo and took her best ever finish at the
Trofeo Alfredo Binda leading home the chase group for 9th.
Laura Trott
Last year Trott started her first road race as a professional
here. Trott made the elite group finished 2nd in the sprint
after 2 riders were off the front to finish 4th overall.
Started her road season at the GP Comune di Cornaredo two
weeks ago finishing 20th in a race where only 24 riders
actually finished.
Chloe Hosking
Started her season on a strong note taking a stage after
getting the jump on Giorgia Bronzini on the second stage of
the Bay Crits. Followed that up with 3rd in Qatar her fourth
top 10 finish there in a row. Finished 9th in Molecaten
Drentse 8 earlier this month and has a strong team to support
her in a sprint finish.
Lucy Garner
The two time Junior World Champion took her first professional
win in the first stage of the Tour of Chongming Island on
route to 3rd overall. On a team with Kirtsen Wild and Amy
Pieters, Garner must take the chances when they come her way.
Shelley Olds
One of the fastest sprinters in the women's peloton. After
spending 2013 with Tibco-To The Top has joined Ale Cipollini
for 2014. Had 25 top 10 finishes in 2013 and has started
strongly in 2014. Took three top 10 finishes against some of
the top sprinters in the world at the Tour of Qatar. Won two
stages at the Vuelta Internacional Femenina a Costa Rica.
Since returning to Europe has won the GP Comune di Cornaredo,
2nd Novilon Eurocup and 3rd in the first World Cup at Ronde
van Drenthe.
Sofie De Vuyst
Has been one of the stand out riders of 2014 so far. 6th at
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 3rd Le Samyn, 5th Omloop van het
Hageland and 4th last weekend at Gent-Wevelgem. While hasn't
quite got that win yet her consistency means she is going to
be there fighting for the win.
Emily Roper
Now in her 2nd season with the Jayco-AIS Australian National
Team. Put on a dominant display in the U23 category at the
National Championships winning the Road Race and Criterium and
2nd in the Time Trial. Took 6th in the Elite Road Race against
some of the biggest names in Australian cycling. A fast
finisher who will be an outsider in a bunch sprint.
Lauren Hall
Took a surprise win at Gent-Wevelgem by attacking an elite
group in the final few hundred meters and holding on to the
line. It will not be easy to repeat the performance but with
confidence from the win Hall could be one to surprise again
with a good result.
Other names to watch: Liesbet De Vocht, Emily Collins, Sara
Mustonen, Maaike Polspoel, Marta Tagliaferro, Barbara
Guarischi, Alexandrea Burchenkova, Kimberly Wells, Ash
Ankudinoff and Chloe McConville.
Note 7/4 - Since initial publication Lucy Martin is no longer
riding. |
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